PM visits the National Guard Training Center in Novi Petrivtsi

On Tuesday, 30 September, Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk has visited the training center of the National Guard of Ukraine in Novi Petrivtsi, where he checked the NGU units’ readiness, which are going to the area of counter-terrorism operation, to meet this winter.

The training center has been attended by Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov and Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak.

At this time, 650 soldiers, who are going to be sent into the ATO area after rotation, have arrived at the training center.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk has reviewed the samples of winter uniforms for employees of the Minister of Internal Affairs, patrol and inspection service and soldiers, who are going to perform tasks in the area of counter-terrorism operation.

He has told reporters that the entire winter kit "from socks to warm uniform" costs up to UAH 5 thousand. In general, 37250 soldiers of the National Guard are planned to be provided with winter clothing by 10 October: "Now came the first batch of kits – 5 thousand. It is expected the next one- also 5 thousand."

Arseniy Yatsenyuk has checked armored vehicles arrived at the National Guard Training Center to be sent to the ATO area, including armored cars Cougar, Spartan with warming.

The Prime Minister has noted that total amount of purchases of new equipment is 600 units, 100 units have already come.

The PM has been also showed armored armored KrAZ trucks, KrAZ trucks with warming, where can be heated and spend the night up to 20 soldiers.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk has reported that due to the only order for the National Guard, KrAZ factory is loaded by the end of this year: "On the one hand, we’re ensuring the fighting capability and defense of the state. On the other hand, the economy receives funds because everything is made in Ukraine - from KrAZ trucks to winter uniforms. Some fabrics are purchased abroad. But our people are working and thus our people have jobs and wages."

The Prime Minister got acquainted with the prototype sample of modular barracks for personnel, which can temporarily shelter 32 to 40 soldiers. It is designed to be used at temperatures ranging from 40 C below zero up to 40 C above zero, and equipped, in particular, with toilets, beds, autonomous heating facilities.

He informed such barracks cost about UAH 800 thousand. According to him, this mobile winter roadblock "is acceptable and can be used for the National Guard”, "We shall buy what we can in this version. And we will be working on a cheaper variant, capable to provide more heating and to shelter a larger number of people who can live in such barracks".

Arseniy Yatsenyuk also examined the equipment necessary for winter period, in particular, furnaces, field kitchens, chainsaws, electric diesel generator sets.

In addition, the Head of the Government checked a combat ration for the soldiers of the National Guard and tasted it. According to him, the cost of such field ration, which is calculated per soldier a day, is ranging from UAH 56 to 62.

In the training center of the base there took place a meeting on the prospects of establishing certain training complexes on the bases of the National Guard. The Prime Minister was shown a presentation of simulators for tank crews, an armored personnel carrier, a helicopter.

The commander of the National Guard of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak said that complexes of simulators could be created on the military bases in Novi Petrivtsi and Stare village. Here could be trained tankers, infantrymen, gunners and air defence fighters. Arseniy Yatsenyuk commissioned to study the issue and prepare an approximate budget of such complex. He noted that apart from combat training of soldiers such complexes would provide people with work and salaries.

The soldiers in the training center demonstrated reliability of "Cougar" armor and armored KrAZ.

Following the visit, Arseniy Yatsenyuk emphasized that the National Guard successfully fulfilled the decree of the Government on the preparation for the winter period.

The PM informed that on October 3 he would examine the state of preparations for winter of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, "On Friday I will travel to see the state of matters in the military units, what has been made by the General headquarters and the Ministry of Defence. Hence, the funds have been allotted. As I have been informed, "in papers" there have been purchased 16 thousand sets of uniforms. Now I want to check the quality of the uniform and shoes”.